Sinner says adrenaline drives him past fatigue in run to Madrid final

MADRID: Jannik Sinner said the surge of adrenaline that comes with big matches had helped him push through mounting fatigue after the ​Italian reached his maiden Madrid final following another deep run ‌in a packed season.

The 24-year-old has had a near non-stop schedule over the past two months, reaching the closing rounds in tournaments as the circuit moved from hardcourts ​to the clay season, winning titles at Indian Wells, Miami ​and Monte Carlo.

“I’ve played a lot in the last one ⁠and a half months, going very deep in tournaments,” Sinner told reporters ​after defeating Arthur Fils 6-2 6-4 in the Madrid semi-finals on Friday.

“It’s ​a good sign, of course, and at the same time you tend to get a little bit more tired.

“I think and I believe, when I play big matches, ​semi-finals, quarter-finals, finals, there’s also a little bit of adrenaline that ​pushes me.”

Victory over Alexander Zverev in Madrid on Sunday would hand Sinner a fifth ‌successive Masters ⁠1000 title going back to Paris last year and further underline his strong start to the clay season, with the French Open beginning on May 24.

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With defending Roland Garros champion Carlos Alcaraz ruled out due to ​a wrist injury, ​world number one ⁠Sinner will be the top contender in Paris, where he can complete the career Grand Slam, having won ​the Australian Open, US Open and Wimbledon.

For now, however, ​Sinner’s focus ⁠remains on Madrid and next week’s Italian Open in Rome.

“I’m of course very happy to play my first final here. It means a lot to ⁠me … ​whatever (happens) on Sunday, it has been a ​great tournament,” Sinner said.

“In between here and Rome I’ll try to recover again as much and ​then we’ll see.”